Secrets of Mercedes’ rise to F1 power

The growing pressure in the Italian media on Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur is the topic for the latest edition of The Race F1 Podcast.Former Ferrari communications advisor Roberto Boccafogli joins Jon Noble and Edd Straw to offer his unique insight into the criticisms of Vasseur and what could be done to prevent this. We ask what’s gone wrong for Ferrari, whether there could be an imminent turnaround and whether Vasseur has convinced the tifosi he’s taking the problems seriously enough in a team that presents unique communications challenges. We also discuss Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton’s concerns and ask what role they play in the troubles.Want exclusive bonus episodes and ad-free listening? Enjoy a 7-day free trial to The Race Members' Club on Patreon today - we even have an 'F1-only' tier! Check out the new items in The Race Shop - members get a 15% discount! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

18 Juni 59min

CLICK HERE TO GET A 7-DAY FREE TRIAL TO THE RACE MEMBERS' CLUBWe're delighted to bring you an extra episode in the feed this week, as an example of the kind of bonus content regularly available to The Race Members' Club. Our F1 Extra episodes dig deeper in F1 and F1-related storylines, and on the latest instalment we take a closer look at former F1 favourite Robert Kubica's first Le Mans 24 Hours victory with Ferrari.Host Edd Straw welcomes The Race's endurance correspondent Thibault Villemant and editor Valentin Khorounzhiy, who were both on-site at the Circuit de la Sarthe covering the 2025 edition of the iconic marathon.Kubica, of course, looked set to drive for Ferrari in F1 before he was badly injured in a rally crash in 2011, so his victory has been widely celebrated. But just how good was his performance in the 24 hours, and how did Ferrari's third squad, which also featured Ye Yifei and Phil Hanson, beat its more acclaimed two factory cars?Also, did this year's Balance of Performance in the top class make Ferrari's route to a third successive victory too simple - and how much of a concern is one of its cars being disqualified post-race for a technical irregularity? Villemant and Khorounzhiy discuss this, and praise the other standout crew of the event.They also take their time to assess how each of the Hypercar manufacturers fared, and talk about the performances of recent F1 drivers Mick Schumacher and Kevin Magnussen - as well as discuss a Magnussen team-mate you need to know about.IF YOU LIKE WHAT YOU HEAR AND WANT MORE BONUS EPISODES, CLICK HERE TO GET A 7-DAY FREE TRIAL TO THE RACE MEMBERS' CLUB Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

17 Juni 38min

From Montreal, Edd Straw is joined by Jon Noble and Mark Hughes to review a dramatic and eventful Canadian Grand Prix.A somewhat pedestrian race was enlivened just before the flag when Lando Norris crashed into the back of his McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri - but how much has the incident hurt his title bid? That's one of the key questions answered.Edd, Jon and Mark also discuss Mercedes' stunning turn of form, explaining why George Russell - only fourth in Spain - was able to ease to victory here, ably backed up by rookie team-mate Kimi Antonelli, who took a maiden F1 podium in third behind Max Verstappen's Red Bull. There's also discussion of why Red Bull's protest against race winner Russell for “unsportsmanlike intent” was thrown out by the stewards.The episode is rounded out with chat about Ferrari's lacklustre showing against the backdrop of mounting pressure on team boss Fred Vasseur, and the usual Race Members' Club questions section. Want exclusive bonus episodes and ad-free listening? Enjoy a 7-day free trial to The Race Members' Club on Patreon today - we even have an 'F1-only' tier! Check out the new items in The Race Shop - members get a 15% discount! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

16 Juni 51min

What would happen if all 20 F1 drivers competed on equal terms in the same machinery? That's a question we tackle in the latest edition of The Race F1 Podcast. Canadian motorsport journalist Tim Hauraney joins Ben Anderson and Edd Straw to discuss a ranking list answering that question he recently put together for TSN, based on a vote of F1 journalists. That leads to a question of what constitutes equal cars and also the role of simulator driving in the development of F1 drivers, as well as whether Lewis Hamilton’s ranking has to take a hit because of his difficult recent times. We also tackle the popularity of F1 (and driver Lance Stroll) in Canada, and discuss the evolution of the grand prix in Montreal, which takes place this weekend. And with McLaren having won seven out of nine grands prix, we explain why the Canadian Grand Prix might not be so straightforward for F1’s dominant force despite heading into the weekend as favourite. Want exclusive bonus episodes and ad-free listening? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon today - we even have an 'F1-only' tier! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

11 Juni 1h 3min

We explain why Aston Martin has taken another step backwards this season and whether Adrian Newey’s arrival can change that in the latest edition of The Race F1 Podcast.Jon Noble and Mark Hughes join Edd Straw to discuss the team’s troubles this year, and how Aston Martin slid to this point having claimed six podium finishes in the first eight races of 2023. We discuss the car and upgrade troubles in that period, and ask if the recent upturn after the package introduced at Imola recently might be a turning point. Newey’s criticisms of the driver-in-loop simulator are also addressed, along with the other areas where the Silverstone-based squad needs to improve if it’s to deliver on its objective of becoming a title-winning force. We also address questions from The Race Members’ club on a variety of topics including Alpine’s driver change, Liam Lawson’s elbows-out style and Sauber’s leap forward. Want exclusive bonus episodes and ad-free listening? Join The Race Members' Club on Patreon today - we even have an 'F1-only' tier! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

9 Juni 48min

On the final episode of season 3, Richard and Matt wax lyrical about a driver whose name might be unfamiliar to many motor racing fans, but who could be regarded as the sport's first bonafide superstar: Tazio Nuvolari.Matt and Richard explain how, in the pre-war era of Grand Prix racing, Nuvolari became the embodiment of everything a racing driver was supposed to be: A virtuoso and a daredevil, who stirred the emotions in a way that crossed national boundaries. There are stories of his great rivalries, his relationships and associations with Enzo Ferrari and (more controversially) Benito Mussolini, plus numerous accounts of his famous driving technique, which included being the originator of the four-wheel drift.And of course there's also plenty of chat about the famous drives that secured Nuvolari's legendary status, including the one where, in obsolete machinery, he defeated the all-conquering German cars in Hitler's backyard, and the one witnessed by a 14-year-old Murray Walker in 1938, which left such an impression on the legendary commentator that the Italian would forever remain his favourite driver.Matt and Richard will be bringing members an exclusive Q&A episode on Patreon, where they'll answer questions on each of the topics covered. Join on Patreon today - we even have an 'F1-only' tier! 🚨 NEW MERCH ALERT! If you love Colossally AND in particular Anorak Facts, we've got a new t-shirt and notebook design you'll love! 🚨 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

6 Juni 1h 15min

With Max Verstappen admitting that his clash with George Russell in the Spanish Grand Prix was “a move that was not right and shouldn’t have happened”, we discuss what that tells us about the four-times world champion in the latest edition of The Race F1 Podcast.Dutch TV commentator Nelson Valkenburg and Scott Mitchell-Malm join Edd Straw to revisit the accident and examine exactly what it is that drives Verstappen to do things like this.We also ask whether criticisms about his failure to live up to role model status and questions about if the FIA stewards should be harsher are valid.There’s also the question of how significant, or overblown, this incident is, as well as listener questions about Verstappen’s future away from Red Bull and whether he could swap between the A-team and Racing Bulls depending on circuit.LAST CHANCE: Get 75% off your first month of access when you join The Race Members' Club on Patreon. Use the code RACE75 when checking out - offer ends Wednesday 4th June! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

4 Juni 57min

With the technical directive reducing the permitted flexibility of the front wings the big talking point of the Spanish Grand Prix weekend, why didn’t it shake up the competitive order as some hoped?Former F1 technical director Gary Anderson explains that, and the reasons why he always expected the effects to be more subtle, as he looks back at the big technical stories from the Spanish Grand Prix weekend. That includes a look at the steel skid block tests run in Friday practice and the potential impact of the change from titanium for selected races. And whether it makes sense to make such a change given the alternative means to reduce the chance of grass fires ignited by sparks. Host Edd Straw also fires listener questions to Gary on a variety of topics, including active suspension, core versus surface tyre temperature and the Venturi effect.Got a question for Gary? Send it to podcasts@the-race.comLAST CHANCE: Get 75% off your first month of access when you join The Race Members' Club on Patreon. Use the code RACE75 when checking out! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

3 Juni 47min